Amsterdam is home to one of the world's most famous and most studied legal prostitution industries, centred on the De Wallen red light district in the heart of the medieval city. Window prostitution — where sex workers offer their services from behind glass doors illuminated by red lights in small one-room cabins along the canal-side streets — has been a feature of Amsterdam life for centuries and remains fully legal, regulated, and operational in 2026. This guide explains how Amsterdam's brothel and window prostitution system works, where to find it, what it costs, and what visitors should know before they go.
In June 2026, Amsterdam's city coalition officially dropped the long-debated plan to relocate De Wallen's prostitution industry to an Erotic Centre outside the city centre. After years of controversy, protests from sex workers, and stalled location proposals, De Wallen is confirmed to remain in the city centre for the foreseeable future. This is significant news for visitors planning a trip to Amsterdam specifically to experience the window prostitution district.
How Window Prostitution Works in Amsterdam
Amsterdam's window prostitution system is unlike anything else in the world. De Wallen consists of a network of alleys containing approximately 300 one-room cabins rented by prostitutes who offer their sexual services from behind a window or glass door, typically illuminated with red lights and blacklight. Sex workers are self-employed entrepreneurs who rent their window spaces from licensed operators, work under the protection of Dutch labour law, pay income tax, and are required to comply with health and safety regulations.
The starting price for negotiations with Amsterdam window prostitutes is usually €100 for 15 to 20 minutes. Prices vary depending on the sex worker, the services requested, and the time of day. All negotiation happens directly between the client and the sex worker at the window before entering the cabin. Clients should agree on price and services clearly before entering.
The window brothels are only closed for 2 hours a day between 6:00 and 8:00 in the morning. Outside of those hours, the windows operate continuously, though the most active period is from late afternoon onward, particularly after dark when the red lights come on and the district reaches its full atmospheric peak.
The Main Window Prostitution Areas
Oudezijds Achterburgwal
This is the main canal of De Wallen and the street with the highest concentration of window brothels, sex shows, and adult entertainment venues in the district. The canal runs through the heart of De Wallen and is the first street most visitors encounter when exploring the red light area. Window rooms line both sides of the canal and the alleyways connecting it to the parallel Oudezijds Voorburgwal canal, creating the densest concentration of window prostitution in Amsterdam.
Oudezijds Voorburgwal
The parallel canal to Oudezijds Achterburgwal also has a significant number of window rooms, particularly in the southern section closer to the Oude Kerk church. The atmosphere here is slightly less tourist-saturated than the main Achterburgwal strip, making it a preferred area for visitors who want to explore the windows without navigating through the largest crowds.
Trompettersteeg
Amsterdam's narrowest alleyway, called the Trompettersteeg, has nine window brothels and is one of the highlights of any De Wallen exploration. The alley is barely wide enough for two people to pass each other and the intimacy of the space creates a distinctly De Wallen atmosphere that is unlike any other part of the district. It is one of the most photographed locations in De Wallen — though visitors are reminded that photographing sex workers in the windows is strictly prohibited regardless of location. Wikipedia
Singelgebied
The Singelgebied is Amsterdam's second red light area, located to the west of the city centre along the Singel canal. It is smaller and less well-known than De Wallen but offers a more local and less tourist-saturated window prostitution experience. For visitors who find De Wallen overwhelming, the Singelgebied provides a quieter alternative with a similar format.
Ruysdaelkade
Ruysdaelkade in the De Pijp neighbourhood is Amsterdam's third legal prostitution area, the smallest and most locally oriented of the three. Located well south of the city centre, it attracts very few tourists and operates primarily for the local market. It is worth visiting for visitors who want to see a different side of Amsterdam's legal prostitution industry away from the tourist environment of De Wallen.
Rules and Etiquette for Visiting the Windows
Do not photograph sex workers. This is the single most important rule in De Wallen and it is enforced with zero tolerance. Sex workers have the right to privacy and will respond forcefully — physically if necessary — to anyone pointing a camera or phone at their windows. Phones should be kept in pockets when walking through the window areas.
Do not knock on windows you are not interested in. Knocking on a window to get a sex worker's attention when you have no intention of purchasing services is disrespectful and wastes their working time. Only approach a window if you are genuinely interested.
Negotiate clearly before entering. Agree on price and services before entering the cabin. Once inside, you are committed to what was agreed. Attempting to change terms or add services without additional payment is not acceptable.
Do not bring large groups to the windows. Large groups walking slowly past the windows and staring are disruptive and disrespectful. Walk at a normal pace, look but do not linger in large groups outside individual windows.
Respect that this is a workplace. De Wallen's sex workers are professionals operating a legal business. Treat them with the same respect you would show any other service professional.
What Does It Cost?
The starting price for window prostitution in Amsterdam is usually €100 for 15 to 20 minutes. This is the baseline for standard services. Additional services, longer sessions, or specific requests will cost more and should be negotiated clearly at the window before entering.
Payment is typically cash only. ATMs are available throughout De Wallen but can have queues on busy nights. It is advisable to withdraw cash before visiting rather than relying on being able to find a functioning ATM in the district.
Is It Safe?
Window prostitution in De Wallen is legal, regulated, and generally safe for clients. Sex workers operate under Dutch law, are required to follow health regulations, and have support systems including the Prostitution Information Centre on Enge Kerksteeg, which provides information and support to both sex workers and visitors. The district itself is safe from a personal security perspective, though pickpocketing is common and visitors should keep valuables secure.
From a health perspective, safe sex practices are standard and expected. Condoms are mandatory and refusal to use one is grounds for the sex worker to end the encounter.
Practical Tips
Getting there: De Wallen is a 10-minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal station. The district is entirely walkable.
Best time to visit: After dark, from 19:00 onward, when the red lights come on. Friday and Saturday nights are the busiest. Weeknights are quieter and less crowded.
Cash: Bring sufficient cash before arriving. Most window rooms are cash only.
Combining your visit: De Wallen's window prostitution areas are within walking distance of Casa Rosso, the Bananenbar, the Red Light Secrets museum, and the Erotic Museum, making it easy to combine a window visit with broader De Wallen adult entertainment in a single evening.
Respect the neighbourhood: De Wallen is a residential area where people live alongside the adult entertainment industry. Noise, littering, and antisocial behaviour are unwelcome and increasingly subject to enforcement by the city.